Skinny - He's back. For 17 years, Bill Snyder coached Kansas State and after watching the program's fall the past couple of years, he returns to the head coaching position. Snyder should not be expected to be a miracle maker his first year in Manhattan. Snyder doesn't have Josh Freeman, the leader of the Wildcats, back, but he does have his favorite target Brandon Banks back for his senior season. Banks is very small (150 pounds) and could be Percy Harvin-lite. Snyder will need to worry about rebuilding the offense, but the bigger issue is not rebuilding, but rather building a defense. Kansas State was 110th or worse in scoring defense, rushing defense, and total defense. Pass defense didn't manage to crack the top 100 either. Kansas State won't be competing for a Big 12 North title this season, but they shouldn't be at the very bottom of the division either with Iowa State still the bottom dweller.
Strength - Brandon Banks
Banks is only 5'7" and 150 pounds, but he's a speedy target that has good hands. Banks had 67 receptions last year, doubling the next closest player. He also had 126 yards on the ground last season in only 7 carries. Perhaps with no proven running back, Kansas State should use the talent of Banks with more end around type of plays. Banks surpassed 1000 yards (1049) and had 9 TDs. Lamark Brown and Aubrey Quarles will play alongside Banks, but both only had a few starts at receiver last season. Quarles is on his last stint as a senior and hasn't been a breakaway performer yet and Brown split time last season between receiver and running back and actually led to team in rushing yards last season.
Weakness - Back 7
Kansas State has a pair of new defensive cooridinaters from the ACC. Kansas State should see a blend of a 4-3 and 4-2-5, as the latter is more suitable to the defensive coaching staff. The secondary was downright bad last season, but than again so was the rest of the defense. Josh Moore is the best defender at corner (2nd team All-Big 12) and he should only get better in his junior season. He led the team in tackles last season and added 3 picks and 12 passes broken up. Courtney Herndon and Tysyn Hartman return at safety. The other corner spot is up for grabs with JCs and true freshman being given a legit shot at the position. Alex Hrebec and John Houlik will be the linebackers with Ulla Pomele providing a third option. Their production needs to improve. The hybrid position will also be up for grabs. This unit must find a set of players that can be productive.
Key Game - 10/10/09 @Texas Tech
If Kansas State can find a quarterback by this non-divisional match-up they'll have a chance at the upset. The only game that will be in question before this game will be the UCLA game and that game is winnable; although, it won't be easy. Going into this game 5-0 or 4-1 would give Kansas State a chance to make themselves bowl eligible quickly. After Texas Tech, they have another winnable game at A&M before the schedule becomes much harder. Kansas State will have the opportunity to make themselves bowl eligible after failing last season, but it will be a challenge.
Key Player - Daniel Thomas
Thomas won't be the favorite to be the starter going into the season, but he'd probably give Kansas State the best shot at winning. The former junior college player is more dynamic than the rest of quarterbacks on the roster. A mobile quarterback would be especially helpful in keeping a defense honest, considering Kansas State doesn't have a legitimate threat at running back. Thomas will be the underdog to Carson Coffman, as Coffman was number 2 on the depth chart last season.
Impact Freshman - Torell Miller
Predicted Big 12 finish - 5th (North)
Top 5 Players
1. WR Brandon Banks
2. CB Josh Moore
3. LT Nick Stringer
4. DE Brandon Harold
5. DE Eric Childs
Views
No comments:
Post a Comment